HC Deb 11 November 1998 vol 319 c252W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will encourage EU Agriculture ministers to support a ban on battery cages for egg-laying hens. [58293]

Mr. Morley

We have made clear our view that the EU should set an early date for the phasing out of the battery cage and will continue to press for this in the ongoing EU negotiations.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the proposed EU directive on the welfare of egg-laying hens. [58295]

Mr. Morley

We have received a number of written representations and have met with industry representatives and welfare organisations to discuss the proposals.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the additional costs to UK consumers of an EU-wide ban on battery cages for egg-laying hens. [58296]

Mr. Morley

The EU Commission estimate that the significant changes they propose in the standards for caged hens will cost between 1.2 and 1.56 ecu (80p—£1.11p) per EU consumer per annum. No estimate has been made of the additional cost to consumers of a ban. In practice this would depend on a number of factors including the available supply of shell egg and retail contracts.

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